Blame laid unfairly

R. Mahoney (SCR Letters, April 12) and others continue to repeat the myth of the orchid in preventing a motorsports facility at Yerriyong.

Readers should see for themselves the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel request from the developer for further review documents made last July – the word orchid was not used once

However, the need to observe biodiversity legislation was one of the four requests made, along with noise monitoring, operational management and timing of infrastructure stages. None of these requirements were supplied by the applicant who in response decided to withdraw.

Surprisingly, no representations were made about the impact of a centre for dangerous sports on the emergency department of our already stretched hospital. A business plan has never been seen to back up the claims for employment opportunities.

New businesses will only be viable and sustainable in the Shoalhaven when aspiring entrepreneurs take a professional and diligent approach to bringing attractions to the community. Their supporters should avoid placing divisive blame to cover a developer’s own shortcomings.

M. Leggett, North Nowra

Gambling comes at a cost

The SCR editorial regarding the level of pokie gambling in the Shoalhaven should have us all hanging our heads in shame.

Simply by regularly frequenting and enjoying the available benefits that flow from our pubs and clubs is akin to displaying a passive attitude to the plight of those hooked with an addiction to pokie gambling.

The social cost via the destruction of family units is a cost too great to bear. The flaming of the fires of domestic violence and child abuse has its origins from many of our gambling establishments. To prey upon a person’s addiction to provide some benefit full well knowing the ramifications down the track is at best cowardly and most vile.

What you do with what is your hard earned is your business but what you do with what is given to you by others’ hard work is another matter – $61 million spent in one year on pokies in the Shoalhaven must send shockwaves through our communities.

The trail of broken families,coming and going from Centrelink offices is all the proof you need to demonstrate how bad the situation is.

B. Cumberland, North Nowra

Concerns over TV series

I am writing on behalf of headspace to address growing concerns about some content featured in US Netflix series 13 Reasons Why.

The series – which debuted in Australia in late March and is streaming on Netflix - depicts a young woman who suicides. It presents the viewer with very confronting and graphic messaging and imagery inclusive of suicide method and means.

Since its debut both the national headspace School Support Program, which supports school communities in the aftermath of a suicide, and eheadspace, the national online and phone counselling service have received a growing number of calls and emails directly related to the program.

The show exposes viewers to risky suicide content and may lead to a distressing reaction by the viewer particularly if the audience is children and young people. National and international research clearly indicates the very real impact and risk to harmful suicide exposure, leading to increased risk and possible suicide contagion.

There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience – and on a young audience in particular. headspace School Support and eheadspace is urging school communities, parents, and mental health services to be aware of the dangers and risks associated for children and young people who have been exposed to this content.